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Archive for February, 2013

Throughout the Malone University Campus in Canton, Ohio, a growing gaggle of geese has been camping out on walkways and lawns, honking and even attacking some students as they walk to class. Some unfortunate students have even stepped in the green-colored droppings left by the noisy intruders. The Canada geese have been congregating between Cattell Library and Mitchell Hall. In some instances, geese have completely blocked sidewalks.

While the hope is that the geese are just visiting, one faculty member who teaches ornithology noted that some populations of geese remain throughout the year in Ohio. Drawn by the manicured lawns, tasty vegetation and the absence of predators, the geese are likely to call this campus their home. While there are no large bodies of water on campus, experts believe the geese, like the ducks before them, will adapt and make nests there.

Campus officials worry that once the geese take to nesting, the campus will be overrun since geese are prolific reproducers. The other concern is that Canada geese are protected by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, so permits are needed to hunt them out of season or destroy their eggs.

So far, campus officials have considered resorting to dogs, scarecrows and lasers to get rid of the geese. Malone’s Director of Physical Plant suggested some goose controls but these were considered inhumane. A Department of Natural Resources publication noted that hunting virtually eliminated Canada geese from Ohio by 1900. But by 2000, the Division of Wildlife estimated there were 84,000 Canada geese in Ohio.

Perhaps it’s time for Malone University to implement some professional goose control measures. Here are two —a goose repellant and a goose deterrent—that will get rid of geese quickly, efficiently and humanely:

Goose-B-Gone Super Sonic Goose Deterrent

Broadcasting pre-recorded goose-distress calls, the Goose-B-Gone Super Sonic system intimidates geese over a wide area. The system comes with one internal speaker that covers a full acre and more speakers can be added to cover up to five acres. The Goose-B-Gone Super Sonic is fully programmable to operate between 65 to 105 decibels and can be turned on or off at night. The system is ruggedly designed for outdoor use, with UV-protected materials to endure harsh sun and weather.

Migrate Goose Repellent

Turning a goose food source into a sour-tasting substance, Migrate Goose Repellent transforms grass areas and shrubs into a natural repellent. This non-toxic liquid is easily applied by grounds crew and won’t harm people or pets. Its active ingredient is Methyl Anthranilate, a harmless grape extract that irritates a goose’s trigeminal nerves and mucous membranes. One or two bites of a chemically treated lawn or shrub will make geese think twice about considering campus lawns and shrubs as a food source. Migrate lasts up to three months outdoors, and won’t wash off with rain or sprinklers. One gallon covers about 16,000 square feet for one application.